Temperature matching header



Nov. 19, 1968 J. COOPER TEMPERATURE MATCHING HEADER Filed April 15, 196'? 5 Sheets-Sheet l SUPER HEATER INVENTOR.

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Nov. 19, 1968 JCOOPER 3,411,486

TEMPERATURE MATCHING HEADER Filed April 15, 1967 5 Sheet-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

INVENTOR.

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TEMPERATURE MATCHING HEADER Filed April 13, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I'NVENTOR. JA cos coomw ATTORNEY 1 United States Patent 3,411,486 TEMPERATURE MATCHING HEADER Jacob Cooper, Livingston, N.J., assignor to Foster Wheeler Corporation, Livingston, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 630,680 8 Claims. (Cl. 122476) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A temperature matching header construction for use in a combined steam generator turbine in which a baflle is mounted in the header to provide two substantially uniform vapor supply sections in flow communication with each other.

Background of the invention In the operation of power generating systems, it is necessary to obtain equal temperatures in the two leads which connect the steam generator to the turbine. Accordingly, it has been common practice to feed the steam from either side of the header into a mixing arrangement which is connected directly to the turbine. This is generally accomplished by a Y-type fitting which has proved to be costly in that a substantial amount of piping is generally required. One different type of system which has been adopted to eliminate the piping expense required for the Y-type connection is a header arrangement comprising two headers with a separate lead from each header to the turbine. In order to avoid unbalanced steam conditions in this double header arrangement, elements across the steam generator are alternately fed into each of the headers. Since each header is fed by half the elements, a mixture of fluid is obtained which is representative of the entire steam generator width, and an unbalanced steam condition at the entrances to the turbine is eliminated. When this double header arrangement is utilized in a reheater, an intercept valve is placed in each reheat lead. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a cross-over between the two leads because code regulations require valve shut ofi tests on a daily basis which results in closing off of one of the headers. The cross-over connection is in operation during the test period, to prevent starvation of half the elements associated with the closed lead.

In accordance with the present invention, a single header system with an internal baffle construction has been provided in order to achieve temperature matching at the turbine. This is accomplished by providing a cylindrical header with an internal baffle plate laterally extending thereacross. The baffle plate separates the header into two substantially equal vapor supply sections, and, alternate elements across the steam generator are alternately fed to each of the vapor supply sections of the header. The bafile plate is designed with sufficient flexibility to absorb the temperature differential during transient conditions between the plate and header. In this manner, it is possible to achieve equal steam conditions at the turbine without the substantial piping expense associated with Y-type connections used in single header arrangements. Further, the single header arrangement in accordance with the present invention provides distinct advantages over the double header arrangement which has heretofore been utilized, since from a construction standpoint, it is considerably more economical to anchor a single header against the relatively large reactions resulting from thermal expansion of the leads. Aslo, by bringing the vapor supply sections into flow communication by means of an interconnecting port, it is possible to meet cross-over requirements.

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Summary of the invention In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a temperature matching header construction used in connection with a vapor generator operatively connected to a turbine. The temperature matching header construction includes a cylindrical wall defining an internal header chamber which is divided into two substantially uniform vapor supply sections by means of a partition unit. Means are provided for supplying superheated vapor at substantially uniform steam conditions to the vapor supply sections, and means are provided for conveying the superheated vapor to the turbine. The partition unit can also be formed with an interconnecting port such that both of the sections communicate with each other.

Brief description of the drawings The above brief description, as well as further objects, features, and advantages, of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a single reheat power plant system in which the temperature matching header of the instant invention is employed;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the temperature matching header showing the baffle unit of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the temperature matching header taken along line 33 of FIG. 2, look ing in the direction of the arrows with the lead lines being shown for introducing fluid alternately to the divided regions of the header;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the header shown in FIG. 2 with the baffle unit mounting arrangement being shown in detail; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, showing the baflle unit mounting arrangement.

Description of the preferred embodiments With reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a temperature matching reheat outlet header 10 which is shown in a power plant comprising a vapor turbine 12 operatively connected to a vapor generator 14. The vapor generator 14 is defined by a front wall 16 and rear wall 18 mounted between two spaced apart side walls 20 and 22. For the sake of clarity, the floor and roof which complete the configuration of vapor generator 14 are not shown in the drawings. The space betweenside walls 20 and 22 determines the width of walls 14 and 16 and represents the width of vapor generator 14. Vapor generator 14 is conventionally provided with a reheater section 24, superheater section 26, and radiation section 28. Heat is supplied by a series of burners 30, which are shown mounted on front wall 16.

The reheat section 24 and superheater section 26 are in flow communication with the vapor turbine 12. The reheat section 24 includes temperature matching reheat outlet header 10 and a reheat inlet header 32 which extend across the width of the vapor generator 14, with a series of equidistantly spaced reheat tubes 33 and 34 connected in flow communication between headers 10 and 32.

The turbine 12 includes a high pressure stage 35 and an intermediate pressure stage 36, with high pressure stage 35 being connected to superheater section 26 by means of a conduit 38 for introducing superheated steam. It should be noted that conduit 38 is a schematic representation of the high pressure stage supply line, and in practice, a conduit is usually connected to the turbine from each end of the :superheater. The steam is exhausted through outlet conduits 40 and 42 which are connected at the opposite ends of the reheat inlet header 32. A pair of reheat outlet lines 44 and 46, having intercept valves 50 and 52, are connected at the opposite ends of outlet header to intermediate pressure turbine 36, and an outlet line 48 to the condenser, for conveying the steam out of low pressure stage 36, is shown schematically.

In the general operation of the power plant, a vaporizable liquid such as water enters an inlet 54 in radiation section 28 and is turned into vapor which enters sections 26 in the form of saturated steam which is superheated. The superheated steam passes via line 38 to high pressure turbine 35 for the generation of power. From high pressure stage 35, the steam passes via lines 40 and 42 into reheat header 32. The steam in reheat header 32 is passed through. reheat tubes 33 and 34 such that the steam is re heated by the flue gases flowing in reheat section 24. The reheated steam is collected in the temperature matching header 10 and passes thnough lines 44 and 46 into intermediate pressure turbine 36 with the steam leaving the low pressure turbine through line 48 to the condenser. It should be understood that although the temperature matching header 10, is shown in FIG. 1 as being located in reheat section 24, it would also be possible to utilize the temperature matching header 10 in superheater section 26. Accordingly, the superheater section 26 would include a header similar to reheat header 32 with tubes similar to reheat tubes 33 and 34 connected to the temperature matching header 10.

As best shown in FIG. 2, temperature matching header 10 includes a cylindrical wall 70 defining an internal header chamber 72, with outlet openings 74 located at the opposite ends of wall 70 for mounting a pair of connecting joints 76 to lines 44 and 46. The lower cross-sectional half of wall 70 is substantially thicker than the upper cross-sectional half to provide access openings for tubes 33 and 34. In accordance with the present invention, a partition unit 78 is mounted in internal chamber 72 on cylindrical wall 70. A pair of end closures 80 having a semi-circular configuration are mounted on either side of partition unit 78 at outlet openings 74. The internal chamber 72 is divided into two substantially uniform vapor supply sections 82 and 84 by means of partition unit 78. A channel opening 86 is provided in partition unit 78 to meet the cross-over requirements during shut off. The channel opening 86 is preferably formed with an elongated configuration which has a height dimension that corresponds to the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 70. By locating channel opening 86 at the longitudinal center of partition unit 78, there is no steam flow between vapor supply sections 82 and 84 during the normal operation of temperature matching header 10, when both of the intercept valves 50 and 52 are open. Thus, during normal operation, the pressure in section 82 corresponds to the pressure in section 84, on opposite sides of channel opening 86, thereby preventing steam flow through channel opening 86. By referring to the fiow arrows in FIG. 2, the normal operating steam flow can be readily appreciated. However, when it is necessary to shut off vapor supply section 82 or 84, the pressure in section 82 does not correspond to the pressure in section 84. Accordingly, when intercept valve 50 is closed, the superheated steam will flow from section 84 into section 82 and conversely when intercept valve 52 is closed, the superheated steam will flow from section 82 into section 84. The steam at substantially uniform conditions is supplied to vapor supply sections 82 and 84 through reheat tubes 33 and 34 respectively, which are in flow communication between the reheat header 32 and temperature matching header 10. The reheat tubes 33 and 34 are equidistantly spaced across the width of vapor generator 14, with reheat tubes 33 being alternately con nected to vapor supply section 84 and reheat tubes 34 being alternately connected to vapor supply section 82,

thereby providing uniform steam conditions in the header The end closures are mounted at the opposite ends of cylindrical wall 70, and since both of the closures 80 are of identical construction, like reference numerals will be used for the description thereof. Accordingly, end closure 80 is formed with a generally semi-circular configuration and extends radially outwardly from partition unit 78 to cylindrical wall 70. As is best shown in FIG. 4, the overall construction of end closures 80 includes a semi-circular plate 88, which is welded to semi-annular plate 92. The diameter line of plate 88 serves as the weld junction to bafile unit 78, and the circumference of plate 88 and member 90 serve as a weld junction. A semiannular connecting plate 94 is provided for joining plate 92 to member 90 at semi-circular welds 96 and 98, and plate 94 is welded to cylindrical wall 70 by means of two semi-circular welds 100 on opposite sides of plate 94. The end closures 80 serve to close off the opposite ends of vapor supply sections 82 and 84 such that the superheated steam Will flow to the respective opposite sides of turbine 12.

The partition unit 78 includes baffle plates 102 and 104 which extend longitudinally between circular openings 74 of internal header chamber 72. The bafile plates 102 and 104 are positioned on opposite sides of channel opening 86 and are supported on cylindrical wall 70 for separating internal chambers 72 into the two substantially uniform vapor supply sections 82 and 84.

It is preferable to form bafile plates 102 and 104 with a series of contours or corrugations 112 having a sinusoidal configuration, with a relatively flat border 114 extending around the periphery of the panels. The corrugations 112 can be formed by any convenient manner of fabrication such as by heavy dies or by explosive forming. The explosive forming method of fabrication is preferable and includes positioning shaped explosive charges in accordance with the preselected desired shape of the contours 112. The charges can be simultaneously detonated in a suitable medium to develop localized shock waves which are transmitted to the area on bafiie plates 102 and 104 adjacent to the charges. A more detailed description of the explosive forming method of fabrication is given in patent application Ser. No. 447,709, filed on Apr. 13, 1965.

The baffle plates 102 and 104 are joined to end closures 80 by means of two butt welds 116 between the opposite faces of semicircular plate 88 and the side borders 114.

To maintain partition unit 78 erect in internal chamber 72, and account for diametrical thermal expansion, a pair of spaced apart clamp bars 122 and 124 are secured along the upper portion of wall 70 at welds 126. Two sets of clamp bars 122, 124 are provided, and each set extends longitudinally along the baffle plates from each of the circular openings 74 to channel opening 86. The contours 112 of bafile plates 102 and 104 are positioned between clamp bars 122 and 124, with a series of shim rods 132 being force fitted between clamp bars 122 and 124 in the valleys between the corrugations 112 which are adjacent to each other. It is preferable to secure the shim bars 132 to bafile plates 102 and 104 by means of Welds 133.

A pair of mounting bars 134 are secured to wall 70 at welds 136 opposite from clamp bars 122 and 124. The partition unit 78 is mounted in internal chamber 72 by securing baffie plates 102 and 104 to mounting bars 134 at welds 138. Each of the mounting bars 134 is positioned on wall 70 diametrically opposite from clamping bars 122 and extends from each of the circular openings 74 towards channel opening 86. The upper portions of the baffle plate borders 114 are welded on the opposite sides of mounting bars 134, such that the lower portions of borders 114 are brought into face-to-face sliding contact with clamping bars 122 and a portion of the corrugations 112 are brought into sliding contact with clamping bars 124.

The partition unit 78 can thermally expand longitudinally between circular openings 74 and can also expand diametrically along the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 70. The diametrical expansion is achieved by wedging partition unit 78 in sliding contact between clamp bars 122 and 124 and by vertically sizing bafile plates 102 and 104 less than the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 70; the longitudinal expansion is afforded by the additional material provided by the corrugations 112 on baflie plates 102 and 104. Thus, the temperature matching header 10, in accordance with the present invention, is provided with the partition unit 78 which can expand both longitudinally and diametrically without distortion or failure occurring during the operation of vapor generator 14.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What is claimed is:

1. A temperature matching header for use in a power plant system comprising a turbine, a vapor generator operatively connected to said turbine, said header including a cylindrical wall defining an internal header chamber, a partition unit on said wall for dividing said internal chamber into two substantially uniform vapor supply sections, said header chamber formed with outlet openings at either end, said partition unit longitudinally extending between said outlet openings, means for supplying superheated vapor at substantially uniform steam conditions to said vapor supply sections including a reheat inlet header and a series of reheat tubes equidistantly spaced across the width of said inlet header, said reheat tubes being alternately joined to each of said vapor supply sections and said reheat tubes connected in flow communication with said reheat inlet header and said temperature matching header, such that superheated steam at substantially uniform conditions is conveyed to said turbine.

2. A temperature matching header according to claim 1 in which said internal header chamber is formed with outlet openings at either end, said partition unit includes a pair of baffle plates longitudinally extending between said outlet openings, said bafile plates being separated by a channel opening for interconnecting said vapor supply sections, and said baflle plates vertically sized less than the internal diameter of said cylindrical walls such that said baffle plates can thermally expand along the internal diameter of said cylindrical wall.

3. A temperature matching header according to claim 2 in which said vapor supply sections include a pair of closure units configurated in accordance with the semicircular internal cross-section of said cylindrical wall and bounded by a diameter line and semicircular circumference border, said circumference border of each of said closure units mounted on said cylindrical wall in said internal chamber at each of said outlet openings and each of said closure units fixed to each of said bafile plates along said diameter line and disposed on opposite sides of said partition unit.

4. A temperature matching header for use in a power plant system comprising a multi-stage turbine including a high pressure stage and an intermediate pressure stage, a vapor generator operatively connected to said turbine, said vapor generator including a radiation section capable of supporting combustion and supplying vaporizable fluid,

a superheater in flow communication with said radiation section for receiving and superheating said vaporizable fluid, said superheater in flow communication with said high pressure turbine for conveying superheated vapor to said high pressure turbine, a reheater section including a reheat inlet header in flow communication with said high pressure turbine for returning exhausted vapor from said high pressure turbine to said inlet header, a series of reheat tubes equidistantly spaced across the width of said inlet header, said reheat tubes connected in flow communication with said reheat inlet header and said temperature matching header, said temperature matching header including a cylindrical wall defining an internal chamber formed with outlet openings at either end, a pair of conduits connected in flow communication between said temperature matching header and said high pressure turbine, said conduits each being connected from one of said outlet openings to the opposite sides of said intermediate pressure turbine, and a partition unit for dividing said internal chamber into two substantially uniform vapor supply sections, each of said vapor supply sections communicating with one of said outlet openings, said reheat tubes being alternately connected to each of said vapor supply sections whereby superheated steam at substantially uniform conditions is conveyed through said conduits to opposite sides of the intermediate pressure turbine.

5. A temperature matching header according to claim 4 in which said partition unit includes a pair of baflle plates longitudinally extending between said outlet openings and formed with a channel opening for interconnecting said vapor supply sections.

6. A temperature matching header according to claim 4 in which said partition unit includes a pair of baflie plates laterally extending between'said outlet openings, said baffle plates vertically sized less than the internal diameter of said cylindrical wall and formed with a series of vertically disposed corrugations, mounting bars secured to said cylindrical wall in said internal chamber and fixed to said baflie plates as a means of support, spaced-apart clamping bars mounted on said cylindrical wall in said internal chamber and located diametrically opposite from said mounting bars, and each of said baflie plates wedged between said clamping bars such that thermal expansion of said baffle plates along the internal diameter of said cylindrical wall is absorbed between said mounting bars and clamping bars and longitudinal thermal expansion of said bafile plates is absorbed by said corrugations between said circular openings.

7. A temperature matching header according to claim 6 in which said corrugations are disposed between said clamping bars with each of said corrugations in sliding contact with one of said clamping bars, and shim rods wedged betweeneach of said corrugations and one of said clamping bars.

8. A temperature matching header according to claim 6 which includes a pair of closure units configurated in accordance with semicircular internal cross-section of said vapor supply sections and bounded by a diameter line and semicircular circumference border, said circumference border of each of said closure units mounted on said cylindrical wall in said internal chamber at each of said outlet openings and each of said closure units fixed to each of said bafiie plates along said diameter line.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,900,174 8/1959 Deitrick 122476 XR 2,986,128 5/1961 Nehrbas 122-476 XR 3,050,042 8/1962 Kochey 122-406 KENNETH W. SP-RAGU-E, Primary Examiner. 

